On the Vieux River

[morethanprops]

Moist isn't certain how this went from Joshua to Joshua, Helena and Claudia, but he knows its all of them now.

Bar had provided them all with appropriate clothing and trunks for the voyage and Moist was adjusting his cufflinks as he arranged their rooms in a slight Uberwaldian accent, "Yes, yes, two adjoining staterooms. That will do."

Then he sent a calculated nervous glance to Helena that made the steward smile, this young man clearly had more money than sense and needed a minder. The steward nodded to the rest of the party, they looked to be profitable, he would treat them well.

Comments

[claudiometer]

What hilarious is that if anyone's the minder in this situation, it's Claudia.
"Okay, how are we splitting the rooms?"

[timelessinventor]

Before the steward leaves, Helena hands him some money that she got from Bar. "Thank you, darling. We can take it from here. I am absolutely certain we'll let you know if we need anything." Shooing him out the door, she turns. "Well, I don't know, darling. Girls in one, boys in another? Or let's see. Siblings, and the two others? Or should I claim Joshua and leave you with Al?" She's smirking at the last one.

[damncompass]

"That would possibly be a little too awkward, Helena." Joshua laughs a bit. "I... don't actually have a preference." He pauses. "But then again, Claudia and I sharing a space doesn't always end well."

[morethanprops]

He closes the door behind him as they enter to talk, as this is a conversation best had in private.

The accent remains as its actually close to what he might sound like if he hadn't worked to get rid of any signs of Uberwald. Also it would be odd if his accent changed,

"I'll be in here, your choice who joins me. There will be a dinner bell and we'll have to dress for dinner. I think for now it would be best to keep the relationships simple other than that you two are related."

He gestures to Joshua and Claudia while he relaxes into one of the comfortable chairs in the room.

[claudiometer]

Well, yeah. They're... pretty unavoidably siblings.
"Then I guess the better question is, what setup's going to raise the least eyebrows? Seeing as how you're all about flying under the radar and all."

[timelessinventor]

"Well, let's see." Helena leans against the doorframe, thoughtful for a moment. "It is possible, Joshua, dear, that siblings traveling together along with a young couple would be the best arrangement." She pauses. "Unless this culture is caught up on no sexual relations before marriage, which in that case, I believe I should share with Claudia."

[damncompass]

Joshua thinks for a moment. "I don't know about culture, but girls and boys does generally work." He makes a face. "The last time Claudia and I really shared a room, she was ten."

[morethanprops]

"Since we're leaving from this section of the river, there shouldn't be that much trouble. After all, I'm being an odd rich young man from Uberwald which no one knows that much about. If I get things wrong, its not my fault, I just need to learn better manners which is why I'm on this voyage."

[claudiometer]

Claudia shrugs. "Nothing personal, Al, but I think I'd be least comfortable bunking with you. And since my dear brother is clearly balking at the idea, girls and boys it is."

[timelessinventor]

"Come on, then, darling." Helena grins. "We'll just have to have more fun than the stick-in-the-mud boys, in that case." Helena smirks, poking Joshua in the side. "I'll figure out what's up with you later."

[damncompass]

"There is nothing up with me!" Joshua shakes his head. "Why is it such a bad thing that I think it would be freaking awkward to bunk with my sister?"

[morethanprops]

"There's an adjoining door, so we'll be able to work things out just fine. Have a drink, they provided some nice wine,"

The discussion is interesting and he thinks if they stick to not making things more complicated, it should work out.

[claudiometer]

Who's making things more complicated? Claudia's just trying to make sure none of them end up dead or in jail. (Yes, this includes Al. He'd just be a little better able to get out again.)
"Do I even want to know what your diabolical plan is this time?"

[timelessinventor]

"Don't mind if I do, Al." Helena pours herself a glass, and hands one to Joshua, who just nods. "Oh, Claudia. Why must you see diabolical plans everywhere? Perhaps he is just taking a trip."

[damncompass]

Joshua takes a sip of wine and smirks a bit. "I think I'm with Helena on this one, Claud." Even though he knows better, he likes needling his little sister.

[morethanprops]

"I'm not diabolical, that would draw too much attention. There's just a rich and rather silly lady on here who has an interest in Uberwald and wears some beautiful jewels,"

He raises his glass in a toast.

[claudiometer]

"It ever occur to you two that maybe I want to know what the plan is so I can help?"
Well, more like 'decide whether to help or stand back and let everyone else dig their own graves.' She learned that trick from Joshua.
"Duly noted."

[timelessinventor]

Helena raises an eyebrow, for a moment every bit the amused Victorian. "Oh, perhaps I should start making friends in that case." She smirks. "I do so love jewels."

[damncompass]

"Ah, so have you decided if we're going to dig our own graves this time?" Joshua toasts Moist, and finally finds himself in a chair. "You do that, Helena. Might give Al the right opportunity, if you enthusiastically draw the girl in question away from her room." Joshua takes a sip, ever the strategist.

[morethanprops]

"Oh, I expect her to show me the jewels on her own prompting. I'm the sort that she likes to take under her wing and she'll be fascinated to talk to someone who's had to deal with my awful ways. This should be fun. Just remember to keep it simple, complicated plans just get you caught."

[claudiometer]

"I can do simple. Should we get ready for dinner, in that case?"

[timelessinventor]

"Yes, I do believe we should, darling. I will help you, as I don't believe you even know how to wear a dress." Helena winks at everyone else as she shoos Claudia into the connecting room.

[damncompass]

Joshua just rolls his eyes as Claud's protests come through the door before Helena shuts it.

"Well, then." He takes a deep breath. "This promises to be interesting."

[morethanprops]

"That's the general idea,"

Moist smirks and kisses him before unpacking his suits and starting to change into his tuxedo.

[damncompass]

Joshua kisses back, then rummages through the trunk that Bar provided for him, finding a tux and flailing his way into it. Almost on instinct, he puts his Regent pin on the jacket, likely more for personal comfort than anything else. It might be out of character, but he can find some way to explain it.